Written for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry (Challenges & Assignments)
Assignment #3 - Geography (Geography of WWI)
Task #4 - Write about someone taking something important from somebody else.
Warnings: sacrifice, major character death
Further prompts are at the end.
Word Count: 619
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and its associate universe belongs to J.K. Rowling, and not me.
It's an honor to be chosen as the year's sacrifice, because the Chosen One is, as demanded, the best and brightest of the village. Just being one of the ten best students in each year's graduating class, to fight in the competition where the losers lose even their lives while the winner takes the title of Chosen One, is a gift beyond measure, much less actually becoming the chosen sacrifice. Not only is being chosen a sign of immense prestige, but the luxuries and respect granted to your remaining family ensure that the sacrifice is remembered, that your family prospers once you're gone. Everyone dreams of being chosen, once their time comes, because who wouldn't want all the glory that comes from being the Chosen One?
Everyone knows that.
Everyone is also absolutely stupid. Or completely brainwashed, to be fair, and handicapped from birth because the ten brightest of each year are systematically murdered, which results in decreasing intellect in the population, but this kind of stupidity is also inexcusable, because isn't it just human nature to want to survive?
But then again, Harry supposes he can't exactly judge, since he is this year's Chosen One, despite knowing everything he does.
The procession throughout town is long, ceremonial, and arduous, though of course Harry doesn't feel any of that exertion, himself. Apparently, the people who designed the entire sacrifice system, or whoever it was who actually understood that dying is not an honor, decided that the least they could do for the Chosen One was make sure that their last day alive was as pleasant as possible. Not that Harry's complaining, not when he gets to sit in this lustrous palanquin, shaded for once from the harsh summer sun, in silk, indigo-dyed clothes that will probably be the best quality he'll ever wear in his life.
Well, of course they will, he realizes. He'll be dead by tomorrow morning. And as something pangs in his chest, some sliver of fear and dread and anger because he doesn't want to die, not yet, Harry reminds himself that he's chosen this - more so than perhaps any of the Chosen Ones from years before. Because they need this distraction, so they can end the sacrifice system, once and for all. And better him than, well, anyone else.
A flash of ginger, red hair that's all too familiar, catches his attention amidst the crowd gathered at the edges of the street to watch the procession pass. That- What are they doing here? They're supposed to be using the ceremony, the lack of guards, to carry out the plan! Ron- Hermione-
He watches as Ron makes the symbol in their secret sign language for don't worry, and then- then the walls Harry's put up to distance himself from everything almost come tumbling down as he watches both Ron and Hermione press three fingers to their lips, then hold them out towards him, that salute that's been theirs since that smuggled novel they'd read as children.
They're saying goodbye. And even as Harry thinks that they shouldn't be wasting time standing in the crowd, watching him go, like this… well, he's glad they came.
His eyes feel strangely wet, by the time they've disappeared behind the palanquin.
But then the procession is at the edge of the village, and he's being led to the slab of granite, all pretenses of being chosen being an honor abandoned as they tie him to the mountain and- and leave.
And then he's waiting, waiting for the monster to come.
Maybe it's ironic, that after all they, the resistance, have done to end the sacrifice system, here they are, sacrificing one of their own so the rest can live.
Winter Seasonal Challenges
Days of the Year & Religious Events: March 18th - Supreme Sacrifice Day: Write about giving up something significant to them.
Colours: Indigo
Crystals & Gemstones: Saltwater Pearl: (word) Lustrous
But Can You Spell It? R - (trait) Responsible
Writing Club: February
Character Appreciation: Trait: Loyal
Written in the Stars: (relationship) Childhood best friends
Amber's Apothecary: (restriction) only Gryffindors
Scamander's Case: (action) crying
Film Festival: (season) Summer
Lyric Alley: Beg you to stay, beg you to stay
EnTitled: Scarecrow - Word: Escape - alt - Write about a sacrifice
Would You Rather? Write about Harry, Ron and Hermione OR write about Ginny, Luna and Neville?
Resolution Evolution: Write a fic featuring a song or song lyric from your music playlist. It can be in the title, dialogue, or prose (Please state the song and artist!) My Shot - Lin-Manuel Miranda
Fantasy February: Day Thirteen - Every year, a single person is chosen from the village as a sacrifice. This year, you were the lucky- or unlucky- chosen one; bathed and dressed in the finest ceremonial robes, you were escorted to the mountain-top and left behind.
365: (restriction) only Gryffindors
Scavenger Hunt: Write a story based on a poem or song that means a lot to you.
Fantastic Beasts: Wendigo - Scenario: Death/Murder of a character